Three Guys Named Mike (1951)
“She loves three men. They're all named Mike.”
Streamed free from the Internet Archive · no signup, no cost — this film is in the public domain.
Synopsis
Jane Wyman stars as eager new stewardess Marcy Lewis, whose enthusiasm causes chaos in the skies even as it wins three suitors, each named Mike: a pilot (Howard Keel), a research scientist (Barry Sullivan), and an advertising executive (Van Johnson). Sidney Sheldon's screenplay turns the romantic merry-go-round into a breezy postwar comedy.
Cast
About the Director
Charles Walters — Charles Walters, best known for MGM musicals like Easter Parade, brings polished timing and warmth to this featherweight romantic comedy built around Jane Wyman's charm.
Why It’s Free: The Public-Domain Story
Public domain by copyright non-renewal. MGM did not renew the copyright in the 28th year; the film carried a 1950 notice and entered the public domain in 1978 (Wikipedia's list of US public-domain films).
Behind the Scenes
Produced and released by MGM in 1951 from a screenplay by future best-selling novelist Sidney Sheldon, the film capitalized on public fascination with the glamorous new profession of airline stewardess.
Did You Know?
- The screenplay was written by Sidney Sheldon, who later became one of the world's best-selling novelists.
- The story was said to be inspired by a real American Airlines flight attendant.
- Jane Wyman shows her range in light comedy the same period she won acclaim for dramatic roles.
Reception & Legacy
Critics found it pleasant and unpretentious, a showcase for Wyman's likability, and it remains an agreeable example of MGM's early-1950s romantic comedy.
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